PISCATAWAY, N.J., USA, 20 June 2012 - IEEE, the world's largest professional association advancing technology for humanity, today announced the launch of the IEEE 3000 Standards Collection™ for Industrial & Commercial Power Systems, which sets guidelines and establishes standards for virtually every aspect of the power generation process. The new standards collection will update and eventually replace the venerable IEEE Color Books® on which the industry has long relied, and make it easier for power engineers to find the most up-to-date best practices and solutions for virtually any power system venue or application.

Power engineers have used the IEEE Color Books for decades to find recommendations and practical guidelines for every aspect of the design, installation, maintenance, and operation of industrial and commercial power systems. Over the years, however, as the scope and content volume of the IEEE Color Books has grown, it has become increasingly difficult to update and revise them fast enough to keep pace with rapidly evolving technologies.

The IEEE 3000 Standards Collection™ provides a fresh approach, splitting up the thirteen Color Books into smaller, more narrowly focused technical standards. Each standard within the collection is made up of a large number of “dot” standards (approximately 70 in all), which focus on a specific technical topic. For example, “IEEE 3001 Standards: Power Systems Design”, will be made up of a number of individual dot standards, each of which will provide recommended practices for a specific power system design topic, such as: evaluating service requirements, applying power distribution apparatus, instrumentation and metering, etc. Because these standards will be shorter and more narrowly focused, the revision, balloting, and approval process will be more timely and efficient than in the past. At the same time, with the ability to locate and access any dot standard online, power engineers will be able to more quickly zero in on the relevant information they need.

First New “dot” Standards Now Available
IEEE has published the first three of these dot standards:

IEEE 3007.1™: Recommended Practice for the Operation and Management of Industrial and Commercial Power Systems

IEEE 3007.2™: Recommended Practice for the Maintenance of Industrial and Commercial Power Systems

IEEE 3007.3™: Recommended Practice for Electrical Safety in Industrial and Commercial Power Systems

Covering power plant maintenance, operations, and safety, the IEEE 3007.1 standard is organized into three broad categories: documentation, system operation, and control responsibilities, including switching and clearing. The IEEE 3007.2 standard covers the fundamentals of equipment maintenance, including maintenance strategies and testing methods. IEEE 3007.3 standard addresses all aspects of electrical safety in industrial and commercial power systems and provides clear guidelines aimed at promoting the understanding of the fundamental concepts of electricity hazards.

The IEEE 3000 Standards Collection will continue to be published over the next several years. The collection will include an introductory standard (IEEE 3000 Standard: Fundamentals), which will provide a framework for all subsequent dot standards. It will offer a generalized overview of power system design, installation, operation, and maintenance, with references to the dot standards that provide more detailed information on specific applications and environments.

About the IEEE Standards Association
The IEEE Standards Association, a globally recognized standards-setting body within IEEE, develops consensus standards through an open process that engages industry and brings together a broad stakeholder community. IEEE standards set specifications and best practices based on current scientific and technological knowledge. The IEEE-SA has a portfolio of over 900 active standards and more than 500 standards under development. For more information visit the IEEE-SA Web site.

About IEEE
IEEE, the world’s largest technical professional association, is dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. Through its highly cited publications, conferences, technology standards, and professional and educational activities, IEEE is the trusted voice on a wide variety of areas ranging from aerospace systems, computers and telecommunications to biomedical engineering, electric power and consumer electronics. Learn more at the IEEE Web site.